If companies can learn anything from this year’s tumultuous and gut-wrenching presidentialelection, it’s that the customer (voter) is always right. And that means meeting customers on their turfand diversifying your consumer base. Just ask President-elect Barack Obama. But what companies shouldalso take note of is that keeping the customer first also translates into large revenues; this year’s politicalcontest amassed more than $1 billion from donors, more than any other political contest in history.

So just how did both candidates reach their respective voters? Check it out:

PRESIDENT-ELECT OBAMA

SEN. JOHN MCCAIN

3. 2 million

$639 million
$190.2 million
$13.9 million
$160.4 million
$11.9 million
$194,000
$3.8 million
20,000*

NUMBER OF INDIVIDUAL DONORS

AMOUNT OF MONEY RAISED

MILLION

OU TRAISED
RIVAL BY

$279

TOTAL AMOUNT OF MONEY SPENT ON MEDIAPrintBroadcastInternetMedia ConsultantsMisc. Media